So I have my 15 yr old son interested in learning the guitar. Actually, I think Dave Grohl had more to do with it than me, but what the heck! Of course he wants an electric, but for now he is sharing my acoustic and working on A, D, and E open chords. Later I'll move him on to G, C, and some minors etc. Lessons and his own guitar may come seeing how things go.
Anyway, I have become a passable player through the use of Dave Hodges Easy Songs series and Russ Shiptons “The Complete Guitar Player†series. Both are terrific learning tools for the self-taught player. The only problem is he is not too keen on songs like “Mull of Kintyre†or “Horse With No Name†! Please, no disrespect intended for either Russ or David.
So, I'll walk him through the Easy Song Index to see what appeals to him. Meanwhile, any suggestions for books or websites that may appeal to the “younger†player would be great!
I'd get him started with lessons from a teacher who can accommodate his taste and interests. Why wait? If you want to wait to buy the guitar until you know if he'll stick with it, that makes sense. But if he doesn't follow through on lessons, you can cancel them. My 13 year-old and I go to lessons together. It works out well. The two of you might enjoy that as well. I think my son benefits from seeing me as a learner too.
Just a thought.
Well we all shine on--like the moon and the stars and the sun.
-- John Lennon
I would definitely second the lesson thing.
"It's all about stickin it to the man!"
It's a long way to the top if you want to rock n roll!
8) Check this out-this is not spam its another website i am a member of
http://www.rockhousemethod.com
there are dvds and web stuff he might be interested in
lessons would be perfect. otherwise, you need to learn how to tune drop D and /or shred.
if he just wants to be the weird show off kid who can play avenged sevenfold then give him a link to http://www.ultimate-guitar.com and teach him how to read tabs.....if he is serious about playing guitar then get him lessons, and Hal Leonard books worked really well for me when picking up the basics.
Or buy him a Michael Angelo Batio DVD and make him cry and never want to play ever again :D
Thanks for the replies to date. No dispute from me on the importance of lessons, but not in the cards till after Xmas at least.
Mainly I'm looking for some stuff he can use to get familiar with strumming patterns and forming open chords while he has my acoustic to play with. The power chords and shredding(not really his bag tho') can come later.
You might want to get him to check out the following URL
http://www.supernaturalthings.net/guitarchive/
It's got a lot of songs and band names that I don't recognize so I'm assuming it's for the "younger" set. She's got tabs and some videos - not the most polished but it's somewhere to start
Why not try a trip down your local guitar shop and pick up a couple of Buskers' Books - The Big Guitar Chord Songbook comes in a number of volumes depending on decade, classic rock or accoustic and a special edition of female singers; or there's the 21st Century Rock series. Both collections are published by Wise Publications and I use them regularly in lessons.
Best,
A :-)
"Be good at what you can do" - Fingerbanger"
I have always felt that it is better to do what is beautiful than what is 'right'" - Eliot Fisk
Wedding music and guitar lessons in Essex. Listen at: http://www.rollmopmusic.co.uk
Metal Rhythm Guitar 1 by Troy Stetina is a really good book for the aspiring metalhead.
If you shop around a bit you can pick it up fairly cheaply too!
Your bones will build my palaces, your eyes will stud my crown.
For I am Mars, the god of war, and I will cut you down.
If hes into Foo Fighters use that to your advantage. Listen to some Foo Fighters songs, talk it up with him, etc. At 15, keeping him interested is gonna be the hardest, and the best way to keep him interested is to show you care, maybe by him a CD or something.
If he starts trying to play songs, an easy foo fighters song is "Everlong." There is an acoustic version, and its just a great song. Incororate the song in his lessons. Teach him the chords one day, the strumming pattern one day, etc. Once he can play the whole thing he will feel great accomplishment, even though its a pretty simple song.
Who needs a signature?
I mean really...
It's almost always lyrics...
or a cliche...
or garbage about me...
Lets just save YOU from the pain, ok?
Duffmaster:
Can you recommend a decent "easy" tab for "Everlong"? I'having trouble sorting through and picking one.
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/f/foo_fighters/everlong_tab.htm
That's pretty easy. If its too hard for you him, make it simpler. Take out the bass notes in the intro, break the song into pieces until he can play each part by itself, etc.
An easy part to start is the chorus.
And don't forget the song is drop D.
How that helps :)
Who needs a signature?
I mean really...
It's almost always lyrics...
or a cliche...
or garbage about me...
Lets just save YOU from the pain, ok?
